Advocacy

The Friends of Stonehurst advocates to preserve, protect and enhance this special place for public enjoyment and inspiration...now and forever. As advocates with passion and knowledge about this unique resource and its meaningful place in our national story, we build support for the estate by educating elected officials and the public on successes and challenges of the estate. We draw broad community support to foster a collaborative environment and open doors to all.

In 2018, The estate faced its greatest challenge since its transfer from private to public ownership in 1974.

The Waltham School Committee considered taking protected conservation land from this National Historic Landmark for a new high school should their top choice fall through.

In partnership with the Waltham Land Trust, we built a group of local and regional supporters who recognize the broader implications of these competing municipal interests, called the Coalition to Preserve the Paine Estate.

We submitted a thick preservation packet to the Waltham Mayor, City Council, School Committee and School Building Committee with letters, articles and a petition representing thousands of individuals and organizations throughout the region and country opposed to the plan.

In the summer of 2018, the City of Waltham purchased other property for the purpose of a new high school. With the immediate threat successfully averted, the Friends can now focus on the long-term preservation of this remarkable estate.